Track clearer for vehicles



Oct. 23, 1928.

J. VAN DE PUTTE TRACK CLEARER FOR VEHICLES Filed Dec. 20, 1927 IIFII I15 lltllll I imam/0e. %m m Q2 M Patented Get. 23, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JEAN vAN 'E IVUTTE, F ASSCHE, BBUS SE LS, B13LG IU1fL TRACK CLEARER r03 vEH IoLEs.

Application filed December 20, 1927, Serial No 241,425, and in Belgium December 24, 1926.

The present invention relates to a track'- clearer for vehicles constructed to sweep sidewards any impediment to be met by the progrossing vehicle.

' The device Wlll of the vehicle and presenting two supporting branches, each inclinedfrom a head upon the longitudinal axial plane of the vehicle; A disc freely rotating about avertical axis is provided at the apex of the angle of'the branches and a seriesof discs are supported by each of said branches, said discs being capable of rotating freely in one direction only, namely in the direction ahead sidewards,

rection only, namely from ahead sidewards.

To constitute a perfectly acting movable railing in front ofthe vehicle, the discs orwheels to be used preferably will advantageously overlap each other.

The invention will find its preferred application in motor-cars to be used by police forces, for instance in dispersing crowds, and

in this application the track-clearer will comprise preferably an upper frame member,

removably adapted to the car body on a levelwith the upper part of the motor-bonnet, whereas a lower frame will be adapted to the chassis frame, the latter member being provided with means allowing the adjustment of same withrelation to the ground. A motorcar fitted in this way will sweep the track without hurting living beings, either standing up or stretched out onthe ground.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, it will be described in'its preferred form of embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

' Fig. 1 is a vertical side-elevation of the front part of a motor car equipped with the double track-clearer, whereas Fig. 2 represents half a plan view upon the motor-hood and half a plan view upon the chassis-frame of the car.

be mainly constructed by. means of a frame member pro ect1ng in frontv "areadapted the one in removable manner to the car-body, coming on alevel with the upper part of the motor-bonnet, whereas the lower one is adjustablyadapted to the chassis frame of the car, such as for instance about a pivot 4 forming part oft-he main frame irons; Said frames are formed with two front branches 6 meeting at-an angle .7. in front and approximately in the vertical longitudinal,

axial plane of the vehicle. At the apex of the angle 7 will be mounted a disc 2 freely rotating about a vertical axis. Upon each of the branches 6 are mounted a series of similar discs 3, the discs 2 and 3 overlapping each other in succession for a certain distance. The discs 3 can rotate in the direction of the arrows illustrated, namely the direction ahead sidewardsr Any movable impedimentcoming in contact with the discs 2 will impart to said discs a rotation in one or the other direction, and said impediment will be shifted thereby rolling eventually along the, laterally disposed discs 3forming a moving railing,

- sweeping the object laterally out of the track of the vehicle.

This sweeping motion is also facilitated by the direction of free rotation of the discs 3. A living being struck in said conditions will be cleared without being thrown down or lower track-clearing element acts in the same conditions for impediments stretched out upon the ground, so as to bring them out of the track of the wheels of the car.

The upper frame member can be mounted removably by means of bolts to the car body, whereas the lower element pivotally mounted to the chassis-frame at 4 can be adjusted with relation to the ground, as for instance by means of a screw 5 acting. on a nut forming part of the free end of frame 1, said screw being driven bya crank and bevel gear.

.Mounting and replacing the track-clearers oan be operated in a minimum of time and it y will really constitute a practical safe-guard for human beings. v

1 It isobvious that thediscs can be replaced 1 by cylindrical bodies acting in thesame way,

- saidcylindrical bodies requiring preferably a zontal position and the apexes of the angles line. However, numerous constructional J modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A track-clearer for vehicles, comprising a frame member projecting in front of the vehicle and formed with two branches meeting at an angle ahead; a disc freely rotating about a vertical axis at the apex of the angle, a series of discs supported by each-of said branches upon substantially vertical axes,

said discs being capable of rotating freely in one direction only, namely in the direction ahead sidewards, all the discs overlapping each other in succession overa certain dis-itance, substantially as described. 7 l

2. In a motor-car a track clearer comprising an upper frame member re'movably adapted to the care body, a lower frame member 'adjustably adapted to the chassis frame,

said members projectingin front of the vehicle and formed each with two branches meeting at an angle ahead, a disc freely rotating about a vertical axis at the apex of each angle, a series of discs supported by each of said branches upon substantially vertical axes, said discs being capable of rotating freely in the direction ahead sidewards, the discs overlapping each other in succession foreach frame, and means for-adjusting the position of the lower frame member with relation to the ground.

1 In testimony whereof signed hereunto my.

name. a a c V JEAN VANDE 

